A lot can happen in a year and no matter how much we try to hide, the crux of it all lives in our eyes, the maps of our story glistening despite the cover of night, a single cast of starlight uncovering the truth.
Much Love,
Leanne
Tag: vulnerability
If We’d Never Met
I looked at the clock around 9:45 tonight and thought, man, I’m going to get to bed early, finally get a decent amount of sleep to kickstart my Monday without watering eyes and sluggish limbs. But then the itch began, the compulsion tingling behind my forehead, radiating to my fingertips, the cusp of a poem aching to spill out. So here we are, an hour later, an hour of sleep lost to creative whims.
Good night, my friends.
–Leanne Rebecca
Empowerment
Empowerment is writing a poem instead of falling apart. Empowerment is writing a poem in spite of falling apart. Empowerment is falling apart and writing about it the next day.
Good night my friends.
–Leanne Rebecca
Insanity
My dad asked me a couple days ago if I knew what the definition of insanity was. Yes, I said, it’s trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. So he asked me why I keep trying.
Some things are worth going crazy over.
–Leanne Rebecca
Storm
I’m often asked where I find my inspiration. Most of the time it’s random, like the color of my hot tea or hearing a song playing at the grocery store, but sometimes I seek out inspiration too. On Thursday I asked a handful of my friends what their favorite word was that day. I didn’t explain why I was asking, which netted me some pretty interesting responses, like burrito or sandwich. One of my friends even made up a word.
There were a few answers however that stuck out: storm, alacrity, and illuminate. The strength behind these words is consuming and even more intriguing are the reasons that my friends chose these. I initially intended to write a separate poem for each word, but then I realized how interconnected they could be, which again, is a pretty powerful discovery.
This poem is dedicated to my friends Kelsey, Charlie, and Cameron.
What is your favorite word today?
–Leanne Rebecca
The Not Quite
Uncharacteristic rhyme tonight. There’s something about this poem that I really love. I almost didn’t write one, just thought maybe I’d let the TV drown out thinking until falling asleep, but I couldn’t just ignore my inner poet fighting to come out. She didn’t want to be ignored and I’m so glad I listened.
Good night!
–Leanne Rebecca
Forgotten
Hidden
Today’s one of those anniversaries I’d rather not celebrate. It’s a day that commemorates the moment my life changed 13 years ago, a day I lost a little bit of my childhood innocence, forced to grow up in the car ride to the hospital. I try not to pout or draw attention to my situation on the regular because self-pity is as unattractive a vice as any, but if there’s one day I’ll let the tears fall, it’s today, D-Day, March 26th, the day I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
If you see a T1D today, give them a hug for me. Let them know you care. This disease is more grueling than you can imagine, more relentless than meets the eye, and more life-threatening than we dare to admit. Though we may not let our vulnerability show, I promise, your love and support means the world.
In Return
When I started She’s in Prison almost a year ago, I promised myself that I’d be transparent in my writing. I vowed to share the tough stuff, even if it hurt or I felt exposed or uncomfortable. This is one of those poems, which may be a surprise because I recognize that the message is simple. I struggled in writing it, I admit. I don’t see the point in putting up a front that I’m uber confident in each and every one of my pieces. Truth is, I’m not, which I like even better. The words you see above are inspired by emotions I’m working through in this moment and I don’t feel I’ve been able to capture them fully. But as I was listening to “I Got You” by Leona Lewis, I knew I had to try.
Come back next Sunday for more poetry inspired by songs on my playlist. Also, don’t forget to hit the follow button on the left and hit me up on Twitter too!
Out of Reach
Indebted
Last April I started the Josh Dun Poetry Corner purely for the fun of showcasing my admiration for the band Twenty One Pilots on my own creative platform. The Corner started after I sent Josh a poem via Twitter. I never expected he’d not only read the poem, but respond. Elated, I wrote another poem as a thank you to my favorite drummer for acknowledging my words, and again, I sent it to him. I felt shocked when he responded to that one too.
A few days after Josh and I exchanged tweets, I ran into Twenty One Pilots in my hometown, a random happenstance that prompted me to reveal my identity as the poet to one of my biggest idols. We chatted briefly, a conversation now burned in my memory, and parted ways, back to our separate worlds.
The next week, I took a chance and sent another poem, and miraculously, Josh responded again! And thus, the Josh Dun Poetry Corner was born.
I’ve loved feeling connected with my favorite band and interacting with some of their other fans. The Corner has allowed me to lament my fandom each and every week, all the while growing as a person and perpetuating my admiration for their music. So it’s with a heavy heart that I announce that this edition of the Josh Dun Poetry Corner is the last. I will continue to rock out to TOP and will obviously continue to write poetry inspired by music. Thank you to everyone that’s supported me along this road and thank you to Josh and Tyler for being awesome.
As of now I’m pondering ideas for my new Sunday series on She’s in Prison, so stay tuned for the BIG REVEAL next week!
–Leanne Rebecca
Transformation
Today’s Josh Dun Poetry Corner is a year in review. In looking back at the self that discovered my now favorite band Twenty One Pilots, I feel surprised at the transformation of identity that I’ve undergone as a result of their music. I’m not the same girl anymore, and I’m proud of how far I’ve grown with the help of all those around me, including those talented TOP boys, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun.
Take a peak at the archives of the Josh Dun Poetry Corner and check back next Sunday for a new edition!
In the Name of Honesty
My relationship with the band Twenty One Pilots is one of vulnerability and absolute admiration. Today’s Josh Dun Poetry Corner says it all. See the archives of the Corner HERE or check back every Sunday for a new post.
Inside Out
I saw Catching Fire this morning, and though I very much recommend it, I warn that it will ruin your makeup within the first five minutes, and then inspire you to write about crying. Have a good weekend!
She's in Prison 